Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery

ARC Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery

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The thyroid plays an important role in regulating the body's metabolism. Virtually every tissue in the body is affected or regulated by the thyroid hormone. It regulates the brain and nerve development and function, skin, hair, eyes, heart, and intestine function. Thyroid nodules are quite common, affecting 20-25% of the population. Some of the nodules can be malignant; therefore, all nodules deserve attention.

If your physician has suggested that you see a surgeon to treat your thyroid condition, you may wonder what type of surgeon is best for you. ARC surgeons who specialize in head and neck surgery, as well as those who specialize in general surgery, are available to treat thyroid cancer and diseases ranging from benign tumors and cancers to injuries and other thyroid issues.

What is a thyroid gland?

The thyroid gland is located in the front of the neck. It is below the voice box (larynx) and on top of the trachea (windpipe). The small, two-inch gland consists of 2 lobes, one on each side of the windpipe, connected by a small bridge of thyroid tissue called the isthmus.

The thyroid tissue is made up of 2 types of cells: follicular and parafollicular. Most thyroid tissue consists of follicles lined by follicular cells, which secrete iodine-containing thyroid hormones. 

Functions of the thyroid gland 

The thyroid plays an important role in regulating the body's metabolism. The hormones it secretes help govern many body functions, like how the body produces heat, consumes oxygen, and uses energy. Virtually every tissue in the body is affected or regulated by the thyroid hormone. It regulates the brain and nerve development and function, skin, hair, eyes, heart, and intestine function.

What are parathyroid glands?

The parathyroid glands are four small, oval-shaped glands. They are located next to the two thyroid gland lobes in the neck. Each gland is often about the size of a pea.

The function of the parathyroid glands is to produce parathyroid hormone (PTH). This hormone plays a key role in regulating calcium levels in the blood. Precise calcium levels are important because small changes can cause muscle and nerve problems. 

Parathyroid hormone stimulates these functions:

  • Release of calcium by bones into the bloodstream. This affects bone density and strength.

  • Calcium absorption from food by the intestines.

  • Calcium conservation by the kidneys.

  • Kidney cell stimulation. This changes the weaker forms of vitamin D into the strongest form to absorb calcium from the intestines.

Services

Evaluation and Management of Thyroid Nodules and Cancer

Evaluation and Management of Thyroid Nodules and Cancer

Thyroid nodules and cancer can be evaluated using ultrasounds or biopsy procedures. The most common treatment for thyroid cancer is surgery.

Parathyroidectomy

Parathyroidectomy

A parathyroidectomy is a surgical procedure to remove one or more of the parathyroid glands or a tumor that's affecting a parathyroid gland.

Thyroid Biopsy, Fine Needle Aspiration

Thyroid Biopsy, Fine Needle Aspiration

A fine needle aspiration biopsy of the thyroid is a procedure to remove a small tissue sample from your thyroid gland. The sample is sent to the lab for analysis.

Thyroid Cancer Surgery

Thyroid Cancer Surgery

Surgery is often the first and main treatment for almost all thyroid cancers. Your healthcare provider will use tissue removed during surgery to find out the cancer’s type and stage. The type and stage of the cancer helps tell whether you need additional treatment.

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Thyroid Ultrasound

Thyroid Ultrasound

Thyroid ultrasounds use sound waves to examine the thyroid gland within the neck.

Thyroidectomy

Thyroidectomy

A thyroidectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the thyroid gland.

Conditions

Graves' Disease

Graves' Disease

Graves' disease is an immune system disorder that commonly causes the overproduction of thyroid hormones (hyperthyroidism).

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Hashimoto's Thyroiditis

Hashimoto's Thyroiditis

Hashimoto thyroiditis is the most common type of thyroiditis problem. It may also be called chronic autoimmune thyroiditis.

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Hyperparathyroidism

Hyperparathyroidism

Hyperparathyroidism occurs when one or more of your parathyroid glands are overactive.

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Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism means your thyroid gland (found in your neck) is too active. An overactive thyroid gland makes too much thyroid hormone. This makes your metabolism work at a faster rate.

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Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is the most common type of thyroid disorder. It means your thyroid gland (found in your neck) is not active enough. Its job is to make thyroid hormones. If the gland is underactive, it may not make enough thyroid hormone.

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Parathyroid Disease

Parathyroid Disease

Hyperparathyroidism, or parathyroid disease, occurs when one or more of your parathyroid glands are overactive.

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Parathyroid Tumor

Parathyroid Tumor

A parathyroid tumor is a growth inside a parathyroid gland.

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Thyroid Disorders and Diseases

Thyroid Disorders and Diseases

Thyroid disease can cause hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. It can also lead to other issues that may need to be treated by a doctor.

Thyroid Nodules, Tumors and Cancers

Thyroid Nodules, Tumors and Cancers

Changes in the thyroid gland are often easy to see and feel. Lumps or bumps, called nodules, are common. Most of them are not cancer (benign) but may have to be treated by a doctor.

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Toxic Nodular Goiter

Toxic Nodular Goiter

Toxic nodular goiter happens when one or more lumps (nodules) of the thyroid gland become too active.

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Locations & Providers

  • ARC Far West Medical Tower
    6811 Austin Center Boulevard
    Suite 300
    Austin, TX 78731
    Get Directions
    • Semyon (Sam) Gambarin, MD
      Semyon Gambarin, MD
      Semyon (Sam) Gambarin, MD
      General Surgery Anal/RectalHernia RepairBreast Disease and CancerGallstone Treatment and Gallbladder SurgeryGERD TreatmentSkin and Soft TissueThyroid Disease and Cancer
      4.8

      Accepting new patients Languages: Russian, Limited Medical Spanish

    • Kent Jones, MD
      Kent Jones, MD
      Kent Jones, MD
      Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) Ear and Hearing LossNose and SinusSleep ApneaThroat and LarynxHead and Neck CancerENT Pediatric Care
      4.8

      Accepting new patients

    • Joseph M. Leary, MD
      Joseph Leary, MD
      Joseph M. Leary, MD
      Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) Ear and Hearing LossThyroid and ParathyroidNose and SinusSleep ApneaThroat and LarynxHead and Neck CancerENT Pediatric Care
      4.8

      Accepting new patients

    • Matthew M. Meigs, MD
      Matthew Meigs, MD
      Matthew M. Meigs, MD
      Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) Ear and Hearing LossThyroid and ParathyroidNose and SinusSleep ApneaThroat and LarynxHead and Neck CancerENT Pediatric Care
      4.6

      Accepting new patients

    • Bao C. Nguyen, MD
      Bao Nguyen, MD
      Bao C. Nguyen, MD
      General Surgery Anal/RectalHernia RepairBreast Disease and CancerGallstone Treatment and Gallbladder SurgeryGERD TreatmentSkin and Soft TissueThyroid Disease and Cancer
      4.8

      Accepting new patients Languages: Vietnamese

    • Kevin O'Farrell, MD
      Kevin O'Farrell, MD
      Kevin O'Farrell, MD
      General Surgery Anal/RectalHernia RepairBreast Disease and CancerGallstone Treatment and Gallbladder SurgeryGERD TreatmentSkin and Soft TissueThyroid Disease and Cancer
      4.8

      Accepting new patients

  • ARC Kyle Plum Creek
    4100 Everett Street
    Suite 400
    Kyle, TX 78640
    Get Directions
    • Gustavo A. Diaz-Reyes, MD, FACS
      Gustavo Diaz-Reyes, MD, FACS
      Gustavo A. Diaz-Reyes, MD, FACS
      Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) Ear and Hearing LossThyroid and ParathyroidNose and SinusSleep ApneaThroat and LarynxHead and Neck CancerENT Pediatric Care
      4.7

      Accepting new patients

  • ARC Medical Plaza Specialty
    1401 Medical Parkway
    Building B, Suites 200, 211, & 220
    Cedar Park, TX 78613
    Get Directions
    • Christopher W. Bailey, MD, FACS
      Christopher Bailey, MD, FACS
      Christopher W. Bailey, MD, FACS
      General Surgery Anal/RectalHernia RepairBreast Disease and CancerGallstone Treatment and Gallbladder SurgeryGERD TreatmentSkin and Soft TissueThyroid Disease and Cancer
      4.8

      Accepting new patients

    • Achal R. Dhruva, MD
      Achal Dhruva, MD
      Achal R. Dhruva, MD
      Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) Ear and Hearing LossThyroid and ParathyroidNose and SinusSleep ApneaThroat and LarynxHead and Neck CancerENT Pediatric Care
      4.7

      Accepting new patients

    • Arielle C. DuBose, MD, FACS, FASCRS
      Arielle DuBose, MD, FACS, FASCRS
      Arielle C. DuBose, MD, FACS, FASCRS
      General Surgery Anal/RectalHernia RepairBreast Disease and CancerGallstone Treatment and Gallbladder SurgeryGERD TreatmentSkin and Soft TissueThyroid Disease and Cancer
      4.9

      Accepting new patients

    • Kelsey J. Heath, APRN, MSN, FNP-C
      Kelsey  Heath, APRN, MSN, FNP-C
      Kelsey J. Heath, APRN, MSN, FNP-C
      Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) Ear and Hearing LossENT Pediatric Care
      4.8

      Accepting new patients

    • Marco Vinicio Medina-Zea, MD, FACS, FASMBS
      Marco  Medina-Zea, MD, FACS, FASMBS
      Marco Vinicio Medina-Zea, MD, FACS, FASMBS
      General Surgery Anal/RectalHernia RepairBreast Disease and CancerGallstone Treatment and Gallbladder SurgeryGERD TreatmentSkin and Soft TissueThyroid Disease and CancerBariatric Surgery
      4.9

      Accepting new patients Languages: Spanish

  • ARC Round Rock
    940 Hesters Crossing Road
    Round Rock, TX 78681
    Get Directions
    • Kent Jones, MD
      Kent Jones, MD
      Kent Jones, MD
      Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) Ear and Hearing LossNose and SinusSleep ApneaThroat and LarynxHead and Neck CancerENT Pediatric Care
      4.8

      Accepting new patients

    • Palak B Patel, MD
      Palak Patel, MD
      Palak B Patel, MD
      Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) Ear and Hearing LossThyroid and ParathyroidNose and SinusSleep ApneaThroat and LarynxHead and Neck CancerENT Pediatric Care
      4.8

      Accepting new patients

  • ARC South 1st Specialty and Pediatrics
    3816 South 1st Street
    Austin, TX 78704
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    • Joseph E. Garcia, MD
      Joseph Garcia, MD
      Joseph E. Garcia, MD
      General Surgery Anal/RectalHernia RepairBreast Disease and CancerGallstone Treatment and Gallbladder SurgeryGERD TreatmentSkin and Soft TissueThyroid Disease and Cancer
      4.8

      Accepting new patients

    • Samuel E. (Rhett) Long, III, MD, FACS
      Samuel Long, III, MD, FACS
      Samuel E. (Rhett) Long, III, MD, FACS
      General Surgery Anal/RectalHernia RepairBreast Disease and CancerGallstone Treatment and Gallbladder SurgeryGERD TreatmentSkin and Soft TissueThyroid Disease and Cancer
      4.8

    • Delfino (Estevan) Lorenzo, MD, FACS
      Delfino Lorenzo, MD, FACS
      Delfino (Estevan) Lorenzo, MD, FACS
      General Surgery Anal/RectalHernia RepairBreast Disease and CancerGallstone Treatment and Gallbladder SurgeryGERD TreatmentSkin and Soft TissueThyroid Disease and Cancer
      4.8

      Accepting new patients

    • Jeremy (Scott) Sebastian, MD
      Jeremy Sebastian, MD
      Jeremy (Scott) Sebastian, MD
      Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) Ear and Hearing LossThyroid and ParathyroidNose and SinusSleep ApneaThroat and LarynxHead and Neck CancerENT Pediatric Care
      4.7

      Accepting new patients

    • John (Caleb) Simmons, MD
      John Simmons, MD
      John (Caleb) Simmons, MD
      Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) Ear and Hearing LossThyroid and ParathyroidNose and SinusSleep ApneaThroat and LarynxHead and Neck CancerENT Pediatric Care
      4.7

      Accepting new patients

    • Brian D. Watabe, PA
      Brian Watabe, PA
      Brian D. Watabe, PA
      Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) Ear and Hearing LossNose and SinusSleep ApneaThroat and LarynxENT Pediatric Care
      4.8

      Accepting new patients